Pandithamani Munusamy

I watched Coolie on release day, and honestly, it’s a full-on mass entertainer with Rajinikanth at his vintage best. From the very first scene, you can feel his energy — the style, the swagger, the charisma — all still intact after 50 years in cinema. The de-aging effects are surprisingly well done, and the action sequences are pure crowd-pleasers, especially in the first half. The supporting cast also shines — Shruti Haasan delivers a solid performance, Nagarjuna has a strong presence, and even Aamir Khan’s short appearance adds a bit of excitement. Anirudh’s background score lifts the film and gives many scenes that “goosebumps” factor. That said, the movie isn’t perfect. The second half slows down, some subplots feel unnecessary, and a few cameos don’t have the impact they should. At times, it feels like the film is trying to pack in too many ideas instead of focusing on the core story. Overall, Coolie is worth watching on the big screen for Rajinikanth’s screen presence, the music, and the visual spectacle. It’s not flawless, but it’s a treat for fans and a solid festival watch.